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许诺 (xǔ nuò) — to promise; a promise, a commitment

Definition

许诺 (xǔnuò) is a fairly formal noun/verb for a 'promise' or 'to promise' — stronger and more committed than everyday 答应, often used for pledges, commitments, or oaths.

to promisea promisea commitment

Examples

  • 许诺。
    Tā xǔ nuò míng tiān yí dìng lái bāng máng.
    He promised to come and help tomorrow.
  • 许诺。
    Tā gěi le wǒ yí gè xǔ nuò.
    She made me a promise.
  • 许诺，。
    Nǐ jì rán xǔ nuò le, jiù yào zuò dào.
    Since you promised, you must keep your word.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

许xǔpledge
诺nuòassent

许诺 joins 许 (pledge) and 诺 (assent) into a promise.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 許; 许 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yánspeech; words
Sound part声符shēngfú
午
午wǔ許xǔ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 許 pairs 言, meaning speech or words, with 午 for its sound; 许 is a simplified form.

Open 许 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 諾; 诺 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yánword, speak
Sound part声符shēngfú
若
若ruò諾nuò
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 諾 pairs 言, meaning word or speak, with 若 as a sound part, for an affirmative answer. The simplified 诺 is a later shorthand.

Open 诺 →
Appears in
Communication & SpeechWill & Intention

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